Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-02
ROMANCE OF CRIME REVIVED,
ihe Story Repeated Of the Abduction of
A. T. Stewart's Remains ard Nepo.
tiations for Their Recovery.
IL Forms Chapter in a Forthcoming
Detectives Narrative for Which IT
Is a Good Advertisement.

H. "" eo 'oHS enVelOpel Ine rate OF the
body OF the millionaire dry goods dealer,
alexander I. Stewart, forms the subject OF
q chapter in Superintendent Walling's
BOOK, which is soon to be publish ed. The
ex-Superintendent processes to give only
the true story OF stealing the body, and
also alleges the body was subsequently re-
turned to Judge Hilton. The remains were
buried in St. Mark churchya ard, corner Of
Second Avenue and Tenth street, in an un.
derground vault, the entrance to which was
covered by flagstone. which, in turn, was
sodded over.level with the surrounding sur
lace. SO that there was no outward evi.
! dence OF its location. After the theft of the
body
THE FIRST CLUE
came from General Patrick H. Jones, ex.
postmaster OF New York. who notified
Walling that an ex soldier, who had served
under him, claimed to know something
about Stewards body and with proper en-.
couragement will give Information leading
to it's recovery. The Superintendent sub.
mitted the offer to Judge Hilton, who de-
clared he would never pay one cent for Mr.. |
Stewart's bones unless they came accom-
panied by the thieves in irons. General
Jones a few days later gave to the police a |
package expressed to him from Boston con.
tanning the coffin plate, which was identified |
by the en- sraver who had done the work. |
To complete their identification the robbers |
sent piece OF paper that fitted exactly the |
hole in the velvet cover in the coffin, cut (
out by the thieves when the body was re- |
moved. Judge Hilton
REMAINED uNALTERABLE
and the case was dropped by the authori-
ties. In June, 1882, General Jones called
at headquarters. He brought with him a
parcel which contained silver knobs and
several OF the handles belonging to the
coffin in which the body was buried. He
also showed some letters which he received
They purported to have been written in
Canada, and were signed by Henry G.. Ro.
maine." One letter which contained the
piece OF paper promised, il further proof
was required. to send the coffin plate upon
insertion OF certain personals in the New
York Herald. This was done. Under date
OF Boston, January 81, 1879, letter came
saying the plate was sent from there to
avoid scrutiny OF customs officials ou the
Canadian border. The plate was received
and identified. General Jones was in
structed in case the relatives were ready to
NEGOTIATE FOR THE REMA1vs
Lo insert this personal in the Herald:
'Canada-WiIl do business. Counsel" This
was done at Judge Hilton's request. The
reply which came from Boston on the 18th
Of February set forth the terms upon which
the body would be restored. They were as
o]lows: First, the amount to be paid shall
be 5000, 600; second, the BODY will be de-
70 II I,,lr -,
twenty five miles Of the city Of Montreal
and no Other persons shall be present;
.hird, the money to be placed in your
lands or under your control until Judge
Hilton is fully satisfied, when you will de-
liver it to my representative; fourth, both
parties to maintain forever unbroken
,ilencc in regard to the transaction. Judge
posed and further declined to negotiate
through the medium OF PERSONAL
Romaine soon ordered Mr.. Jones to break
off all connections with Hilton and
OPEN NEGOTIATIONS
With Mrs. Stewart. No notice was taken OF
his request, but in March Judge Hilton
made an offer OF $4,000 for the body.
General Jones made the fa.t known to
Romaine, who respectfully by firmly de-
.lined. This closed the correspondence.
The robbers becoming discouraged now Of
cred to SILL the body for 100000. Mrs.
Stewart was willing and ordered her repre-
sentative to pay the amount. They de-
Ia we'd matters until the figure was reduced
10 $4,000. which was accepted. The con-
iitions OF delivery were severe. A messen-
.er with the money was to leave New York
Tty at 1Oa m alone in one-horse wagon
and drive into Westchester County along
onely road, which was indicated on q map
,ent by the thieves. Some time before
morning if the man was
ACTING IN GOOD FAITH
md was not accompanied Or followed by
detectives he would be met and given fur
5her directions. A young relative OF Hrs.
stewart's undertook the hazardous task
and " as met by the thieves and after th5
non,y was delivered and certain t"rn.''i!-
les carried out, IT, body Nas delivered 20
him. The next night the body WIS con
re, el to the cath..flra;. a! dead q ,'ig'it
two men transferred the homes to it ir,''ss :: /
trunk They then placed the coffin AZ
ma accessible vault beneath the dnn'e Ii
any one shouc again ;nacl un'h':aeu 'i
vault which holds the bones OF 'he iner-
MT millionaire the touch would reies sc Il |
hidden spring which would shase chimes IN ;
The tower and send all instant aiarn
the town.